St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-11-13
A DEAL FOR A SEAT.
A Neat Little Plan to Fill Up the Wool
sack.
COURT VACANCY,
And the Scheme to Build a Hennepin
County Political House
Upon 1t.

of the supreme court, came closely on
the heels of political story which will
be of great public interest, locally at
least. 1t grows out of the Democratic
victory in Minneapolis last spring, by
which the council and the accompany
ing train of city officials went over as
Democratic spoils. When the new
council was organized and got ready to
fill the numerous offices in its gift, it
was fully believed by Republicans that
the important Office of city attorney
would be given, as reward for services,
to some little ward politician who had
been active in blowing his legal bazoO
in the campaign. The GLOBE advised
the new aldermen of the necessity of
choosing clean and capable men, and
showed what tower of strength such
choice would be. When Seagrave
Smith was named for city attorney, the
mitted, i'll the language of the street,
There were no flies ON him." Just
at that time Judge Smith was in high
favor, having been the unanimous choice
of the bar for the new seat on the bench
of the district court. which, however,
was given to another. He has increased
his popularity in his present office, his
administration being in marked contrast
with that of his predecessors. 1t is that
contrast that is now worrying some of
the Republican leaders, and is one of the
causes which lead to the story about to
come.
The other cause is the position of
Judge Ii. &. Hicks, who was the success
full aSpirant to the favor of the governor.
His appointment only carries him to the
next general election, and his friends,
who are the handful of Republican
bosses, are not Sanguine of his election.
Though his decisions and conduct on
the bench have given satisfaction, it is
we'll enough known that his appoint
ment did not, being regarded as arbi-
trary and against the wishes OF the bar.
Under the circumstances, it is believed
by those who most desire his
success. that it will be a very
difficult matter to elect him, even III
this Republican district. The problem
was to bring about such change.in the
situation as would insure, i'm the first
place, the return of Judge Hicks, and
i'll the second, reserve the reprOach
which now stares them in the face i'll
the city attorneys office.
A prominent Republican attorney,
who is in full swing with the party ma
chine, is my informant, and he spoke as
one entirely familiar with the affair and
sure of what he said. 1t seems that
Charles A. Pillsbury and Loren Fletcher
have talked over the matter, the former
as the friend of Judge Hicks and Capt.
Cross and the latter in the light of his
own interest, as a candidate for con-
gress. Judge Berry was at that time
quite indiapOsed, and the plan was to
induce him to tender his resignation.
This would leave a vacancy on the SUI
preme bench, to fill which would leave
a vacancy where it was most de-
sired, to-wit: in the Hennepin dis
trict court. Influence would be
brought to bear OH Gov. McGill
to induce him to appoint Judge Will
lam LOchren to the supreme court.
Then Seagrave Smith was to be APP
pointed to the district court and the old
obstacle swept away. Smith and Hicks
would come up together for election,
and of course there would be the cry to
keep the judiciary out of politics."
Conference committees would fix every
Hicks and the Republicans indOrsing
Smith. both being elected without con-
test. Thus the two ends were to be
subserved, insuring the election of
Hicks and removing Smith from the city
attorneys office, where his merit was
too conspicuous,
But l objected, 'that does not turn
the office over to Republican,
True enough" said my informant,
''but the chances are five to one that the
Democrats get up fight over it and
finally select man that would not be
creditable. Any change would be bet
ter for the Republicans than Judge
Smith. There is no patriotism involved |
in this and if the general good of the
city should suffer, it is no matter" 5syS
But" again urged, ''if they want |
to make a vacancy in the district court, |
why do they not suggest Judge Young, |
who is Republican. instead of Judge |
Lochren, who is called a Democrat"
Judge LOchren's Democracy is very |
much of the mugwump order. He is a
Democrat on presidential occasions, but |
otherwise is not counted on, But he is
friend of the Pillsburys and that covers
multitude of political SINS"
This happened before the death of
Judge Berry and the narration was to
ural succession has become matter of
public discussion, l obtained permission
to use it, by withdrawing the name of
the informant. The appointment of
Judge Lochren is in everybody'S mouth
and the fitness of the man for the posi-
ton is beyond question. The point is,
was it spontaneous or was it carefully !
grOomed? If Judge Lochren is ap-
pointed and Judge Smith named to sue
coed him, all can say is these Repub-
lican bosses have shown great good
Judgment in their selection of material.
They have chosen two men against
whose elevation not voice can be raised
in protest. 1t is seldom that schemers
are so far-sighted. HELOT.
P.S.-It has been sagely and shrewdly
SuppaS ted that in all OrOhahilitV Gov |
McGill may not do just exactly what is
of him, He may know that
he is to be ruthlesSly thrown over and
may be defiant. / will not be surprised
# the governor should disappoint the
people this time, as much
Is he did before, 81.
P. P. ST. hear the blow has fallen
and that the governor has gotten back
1t his once warm Minneapolis support
ers by making an appointment before
heir petition could reach him. Now
ooh out for tho war III |